Today we’d like to introduce you to Nancy Margolis.
Hi Nancy , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
In 2021, I viewed a gorgeous and inspiring outdoor art exhibit in Sarasota Fla entitled Embracing Our Differences. Its mission is to use the transformative power of art combined with education to help students and adults understand the many ways that diversity = differences enhance our lives. I met with the director who encouraged us to start the program in Michigan. No other community in the country has done it.
Upon returning to Michigan, I proceeded to take more can 70 people out for coffee -to share the idea and get their support. I incorporated as a private, non-profit, got our 501c3 and started raising money. I hired a terrific, retired art teacher Lynne Settles, as Art Director, to send out a Call for Art, organize a jury of artists and we launched our first installation in 2022.
We show the art in two parks: Gallup Park in Ann Arbor and Riverside Park in Ypsilanti. We then brought on an
Education Director, who with her committee wrote curriculum an lesson plans – free to teachers,
We offer free docent led field trips to see the banners which are the spark for discussions about differences: race, sex, age, culture, abilities and physical and mental challenges and how much we gain by knowing others.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Launching a new non-profit is never easy with fundraising being the most challenging. The community loved the idea and is inspired by our mission to create a kinder more inclusive society. But finding resources is difficult.
Another problem was finding the right company to install the banners. The installation is unique. The banners are 16 ft by 12 ft vinyl supporting each other in a tripod. It took three companies before we found the talent and manpower to do it right. We now use Oxford Properties who are wonderful.
We have experienced some vandalism to the banners and high winds that have blew them down,.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a social worker who has done community organizing all my life. I worked in anti-poverty programming ie head start, foster grandparents, senior neutrition programs. I founded a teenage health care clinic with an emphasis on preventing teen pregnancies. which is now 40 years old. I was the founding executive director of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Ann Arbor and started Jewish Family Service.s
The past 5 years I have been the executive director (pro bono) of Embracing Our Differences Michigan,.
I am proud of all the organizations I worked with.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
When starting something new be prepared for the 3 Cs: Conflict, Collaborate, Create
Any new venture will meet with resistance. There will be conflict. Learn how to collaborate and then you will create.
Contact Info:
- Website: EODMichigan.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/embracingourdifferencesmi/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2MWozBEib7lyO5HiEWPypA
